Trending 
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders to speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.
The President said religious leaders had an important role in promoting peace, confronting extremism and preventing the manipulation of faith for violent purposes.
“Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty,” Tinubu said.
He urged religious institutions to strengthen peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people.
Tinubu also called on religious leaders to promote justice, compassion and peaceful ways of resolving grievances, while encouraging political leaders to act responsibly.
“Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred,” he said.
The President said the appeal was coming at a time when countries were dealing with conflicts, violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crime, food and climate shocks, as well as the manipulation of religious and ethnic identities.
Citing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report, Tinubu said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025.
He said spiritual leaders could help address hatred and division because they “guard the frontiers of conscience” through their ability to heal wounds, resolve grievances and promote reconciliation.
Tinubu particularly highlighted the influence of the Tijjaniyya community, whose networks extend across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world.
He said the community could contribute to reconciliation, counter violent extremism, guide young people, and provide humanitarian support.
The President also reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment to working with religious and traditional leaders to promote tolerance, counter misinformation and strengthen grassroots peacebuilding.
He said Nigeria’s strategic position in West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and the Gulf of Guinea made the country’s stability important beyond its borders.
“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
He added that religious communities with strong international networks could become important partners in building peace alongside governments and regional institutions.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to freedom of worship and greater cooperation with religious and traditional institutions to promote national cohesion.
The President welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, scholars and spiritual leaders who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries for the Maulud.
He also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who died in November 2025, describing him as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”
The call comes following renewed debate over the role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s governance and security challenges.
On July 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria met with Tinubu and raised concerns about insecurity and economic hardship.
After the meeting, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, accused some people around the President of presenting a “rosy picture” of the country and warned that the government appeared determined to win future elections “by all means.”
His comments ignited debate, with some Presidency and government officials accusing the cleric of partisanship.
